Ambaji

By -
Site Name: Ambaji
Site Type: Hindu temple
Location:  Ambaji, near Abu Road, Gujarat state, India
Highlights: One of 51 Shakti Peeth temples; a very popular temple of Goddess
Nearest Railway Station: Abu Road
Nearest Airport: Ahmedabad
How to reach: Well connected by road  
Hotel: Decent accommodation options are available in Ambaji
Restaurants: Good vegetarian restaurants are found in Ambaji

Ambaji is a very popular temple town located near Abu Road in Gujarat state of India. Millions of devotees visit this site every year. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha temples. 

Highlights:
  • One of the 51 Shakti Peetha temples
  • Goddess - Ambaji
  • Instead of image or idol, only Visa Yantra is worshiped as the main deity
  • The heart of Shakti fell on this site 

Legend:

As per the Hindu mythology, as Daksha insulted his son in law Lord Shiva, Shiva's wife and Daksha's daughter Sati sacrificed her life. Shiva became very angry and started dancing Rudra Tandava carrying the corpse of Sati. To protect the universe, Lord Vishnu cut down the body of Sati into many pieces. The body parts fell in different sites on the earth; all of those sites became Shakti Peethas. In Ambaji, it is believed that the heart of Sati fell in this site.

Temple Layout:

Although the temple is supposed to be very old, it is very evident that renovation work has been carried out recently. The current structure of the temple is made of marble and is very big. The sanctum santorum enshrines the "Shree Visa Yantra". There is no image or idol of Goddess Ambaji. Although the temple is big, there are no other idols or sub-shrine found in this temple apart from the main deity.

Around five kms from this temple, there is another small Ambaji temple located atop Gabbar hill. It is believed by few people that it was the original temple of Ambaji. Here, the deity is present in the form of idol. The temple is very small. One has to climb around 1000 steps to reach this hilltop temple.

Happy travelling.


Location: Ambaji, Gujarat 385110, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more

Little known Nimishamba Temple of Chennai

By -
Image
Site Name:  Nimishamba Temple Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:   Kasi Chetty Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A rare temple of Nimishamba in Chennai city Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India Nearest Airport:   Chennai has both national and international airports How to reach:   Easily reachable by road as this is centrally located in the city Hotel:  Many star hotels, luxury hotels/resorts, and budget hotels are available in Chennai Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, North Indian, Punjabi,....- you can find everything in Chennai city Chennai is considered as the gateway to South India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu state of India has hundreds of tourist sites which include museum, British period monuments, temples, beach, etc. Let us explore a little known temple called Nimisham...
Read more

Hastinapuram Navapashanam Murugan Temple

By -
Image
Navapashanam is an amalgam of nine poisonous herbs. It is said to act as a remedy for all types of diseases. It is believed that the Siddhas knew the secret formula to prepare this medicinal potion.  The sculpture of Murugan from the famous Palani is claimed to be made of Navapashanam. Similarly, there is a lesser-known temple near Chennai, which has a Navapashanam Murugan. In Hastinapuram near Chrompet in the southern outskirts of Chennai, in a congested lane called Masjid Street, this tiny temple of Bala Murugan is situated. Murugan, made of Navapashanam, is the presiding deity.  Jalakandeeswara Linga, Meenakshi, and the Siddha who found this temple are the other Murtis found in the temple. Happy travelling.
Read more